NYC Onsite Software Engineering Immersive

This review is long overdue, but I can honestly say Codesmith changed my life. It didn’t just teach me software engineering, it taught me how to learn on my own and how to push past challenges. I also met some amazing people who made the journey even better.
If you are on the fence about it, my only advice is to go for it. It is completely worth it. Just know what you are signing up for. Codesmith does not babysit you. They give you the tools and the structure, but it is up to you to put in the work. They push you to step up, and that is exactly why you grow so much. It is the perfect mix of being hard enough to inspire you but never so hard that you want to quit.
When it comes to the curriculum, I graduated in November 2023, so I am sure some topics have shifted a little, probably more toward things like AI. But the way the course is structured is what makes it so powerful. In the first half you are getting new lectures every single day. It feels overwhelming and you might think you are not learning everything. Everyone feels that way. What you are really doing is collecting all the pieces of the puzzle. Then, when you hit the project stage, everything clicks. That is when your learning grows exponentially. I loved that stage and learned so much. It did not even hit me until I got my first job how prepared I really was. I realized I had skills that people already in the field were missing, like using the terminal and git properly. Trust the process because it works.
The job search stage was the hardest part for me. By that point I was already a little burnt out. But the great thing is Codesmith keeps supporting you even after you graduate. They offer resume reviews, interview prep, and career coaching. I had my resume reviewed twice and did four mock interviews. After my first mock interview with Alexander, one of the career coaches, I left with so many tips that every phone screen I had after that turned into a real interview. The support is there, you just have to take advantage of it.
Another part that surprised me was the community. I did not think it would matter much, but it ended up being one of the most important things. Your peers are the ones who help you through the tough moments, especially during the job search. I am also grateful to Eric who helped me negotiate my offers and guided me in the right direction.Looking back, I would do it all over again. Codesmith gave me everything I needed to succeed and the support did not stop once the program ended. If you are serious about becoming a software engineer, this is the program to choose.

My experience in Codesmith was fantastic. The technical learning (with a focus on full-stack applications with React & Javascript on the frontend and Node/Express on the backend) was excellent. The structure the program provides really helped me to maximize my learning during my time there. The empathetic support Codesmith uses was instrumental in helping me to succeed in the program and beyond. Codesmith's career-support was amazing by providing practical strategies that helped me to land a job as a software engineer.

Attending Codesmith a few years back was one of the best decisions I ever made. The supportive community made learning possible since the web development world can be vast and confusing. The curriculum was well-structured for the most part, with hands-on projects that solidify your understanding and prepare you for real-world challenges.One of the best parts was and is the amazing hiring support. The career team offered personalized guidance, from resume building to mock interviews. Even now, a few years later, their support has been invaluable. I recently landed my second job and I was able to negotiate better with their help (thanks again Eric and Annie!).The alumni network is also a fantastic resource, full of people eager to help each other succeed. I’ve stayed actively engaged in this community and have met many amazing people.Of course, it wasn't without its challenges. The program was intense and demanding, which can be stressful at times. However, the effort is worth it, and the payoff is huge.Overall, Codesmith continuously exceeds expectations. The combination of a great community, thorough education in this space, and exceptional hiring support makes it a top-notch program for aspiring software engineers. However, it is important to note YOU need to put in the work and trust in the process, as well as stay resilient during tough times. Though this review is overdue, I'm incredibly grateful for my time there and the lifelong and new friends I've made.

A little context, I was part of a much smaller cohort than the normal 22-27 (my estimate) which may have affected the amount of help/attention our cohort received from instructors and our Senior cohort (that were 1.5 ahead of us in the curriculum).Getting into Codesmith was a major challenge but I appreciated that they laid out a path to prepare to reach their level of javascript expertise for you to progress through the program at its pace for 6 days a week, from morning to night. The "Hard Learning" method they use is a great approach to learning these difficult concepts with limited time. I wasn't sure about this approach but now when I hit a block, getting to a solution takes me significantly less time and my frustration is much lower than when I was self-learning. 

I would say the social accountability, community and environment you're thrust into is #1 about the program. I did NYOI for this reason, to completely immerse myself and give it my all while I was there. Curriculum was alright, about what I expected but good nonetheless. It's very hard to formulate and cover a curriculum that checks all the boxes of core topics (React/Node/Express/DBs), as well as more advanced things that are also important (Typescript, DevOps, testing, containers, systems design) in a 12/13 week span while MOST people coming into the program just about know a decent amount of JS programming fundamentals and what HTML/CSS is + but never really built a fullstack client/server CRUD app before (maybe this should be a prerequisite before entering into the program?). Jumping from just learning React for the first time w/ basics like JSX and props/state and Express building out a few simple HTTP endpoints to building a developer tool involving tech like Docker/Kubernetes or Terraform is borderline insanity looking back 😂. Some corners were cut along the way to make it through. You never really feel like you understand topics 100%. But that's what it takes to become a dev and I think it primes your mindset to jump in and get your hands dirty - that's where the real learning in engineering comes from. I made good friends from the program, remained in contact with my postgrad group up to 6 months post-grad until I landed a job. Overall I'm happy with my outcome and what I got out of the program!

Codesmith is one of the best decisions I ever made.  Not only does their unique approach to teaching engineering truly set them apart, but the folks I met along the way have become some of my most important friendships. Learning to code is tough, and the environment they foster and the standard of excellence they promote is second to none, allowing their students to grow and learn in ways most of my classmates doubted were even possible. Many of my classmates were changing careers, didn’t have a background in tech, and most had never seen any code before beginning their application process.  While they set themselves apart by expecting students to work hard to understand the concepts, they also are incredible at tailoring the experience to make sure every student is able to succeed. Everyone struggled with one concept or another at some point, and yet, all of them came away from the program with serious, industry-ready skills that set them apart– even from folks with computer science degrees.  Being a professional engineer means constantly facing new tech, concepts and challenges– one of Codesmith’s greatest strengths is that they teach their students “how to learn” in a way you simply don’t see elsewhere. I came away from the program not only with a really solid foundation, but also with the confidence that I’d be able to tackle anything new in my career. I learned how to break down problems and incorporate new tech and skills on my own  As a student that went through the program and graduated in the midst of the 2023 tech lay-offs that happened world-wide, I was scared to say the least when it came time to hunt for a job. In the end, I found one within six weeks after completing the program. Not only had they prepared me, more than perhaps I even realized, but they also provide incredible post-graduate support that helped me every step of the way.  I wholeheartedly would recommend this program to anyone, it sounds corny to say so, but it really changed my life. 

Codesmith is, without a doubt, one of the best immersives for software engineering. What truly sets it apart are the people who work there to create an environment that allows engineers to grow and learn. You can tell that the staff genuinely cares about their students. The curriculum pushes you to truly understand the fundamentals of engineering and to lean into the unknown. It's a lot of work and dedication, and it's so worth it. Go into it giving your all - and you will get everything out of it. The alumni network and job support team are unmatched - they're dedicated to seeing their students succeed in an ever-changing industry. Eric Kirsten offers unparalleled advice when it comes to landing a job as a software engineer. The teachers offer invaluable insights into what it means to be a great engineer, and the entire staff provides you with advice, support, and encouragement throughout your journey. If you're looking for a program that offers a challenging curriculum (that will make you stand out as an engineer), excellent job assistance, and a community of people who will support you throughout - you've found it in Codesmith. 

I attended Codesmith mid-last year, despite everything I heard and read about the market. All in all, between studying for and attending the program, and Job hunting I managed to land a job in just over a year. The entire process has been quite literally life-changing, I make nearly 4x what I made prior.Is it easy?No. The bar of entry is high, the program requires your entire undivided attention, and the job hunt is more difficult than both of those combined.Is the market bad?Yes, the majority of my cohort mates are still on the hunt, and Is it impossible?Absolutely not! I have no degree, and was still able to land a role and a salary that had you asked me 1 year ago I would have never thought possible.Overall, yes the market is bad, and yes nothing is guaranteed, but Codesmith is far and away the best BootCamp on the market, and the skills that they teach absolutely prepare you to successfully switch careers.

The curriculum and schedule was super challenging, I was consistently reassured and supported by staff, for the first time started to feel comfortable enough to ask questions, met friends for life, gained a real sense of confidence, so overall, I would highly recommend.
The part that blew me away was the support, advice, encouragement and hand holding that I received during the job search process, specifically Eric.  I was able to negotiate a ~20% higher base and more senior title. Would never have been able to advocate like that for myself on my own. Looking forward to following Eric’s advice when it comes time for my annual (possible semi annual) review! I’m so happy with my new career.

If I were to recommend a coding bootcamp to anyone, I would undeniably say Codesmith is the way to go. It's high entry-bar ensures that you have a minimal knowledge of Javascript and programming concepts so that you and your classmates can dive right into the curriculum from day 1.CurriculumThe focus of the program is not to make you into a 'code guru', but to give you an introduction into what it's like to be a Software Engineer. You get what you put in, both during and outside of class hours. They put you in an environment with other individuals who also have the same drive to want to learn to code and build out web applications. The curriculum presents you with a solid foundation of core technologies that are commonly used in the industry today, but don't just assume that is all you will need in order to land a job.InstructorsInstructors are A+. They come in with their own personalities and passion, and foster a positive environment for everyone in the program. The staff outside of the instructors and fellows are amazing as well.Job AssistanceThe job assistance program is on point as well. Of course, nobody can guarantee anything in this 2023 landscape, but if you put the effort in, they will teach you how to write your resume, navigate the job market, set up your profiles, and apply to jobs. There is no one-size-fits-all process for landing a job in tech though. You will find yourself tweaking your profiles and resumes to what you think best works for you! Codesmith offers post-graduation support, so make sure to utilize those resources if needed.Your classmatesThis program is tough enough as it is, so embrace the connections! You will get a chance to work with everyone in your class, and build networks/relations/friendships that go beyond the scope of the classroom.OverallNo bootcamp is perfect, but Codesmith will give you the tools and network you need to start on your own journey into tech. After graduation, it is up to you to continue the learning while looking for that first job in tech!

I've been working as an engineer in the industry for over 3 years now. Whenever I needed help/advice with negotiating my salary Eric Kirsten has ALWAYS been there for me. I've been able to negotiate upwards of 15K on my first job acceptance, and 15% pay bumps every year after (thanks to Eric's advice). Not only that, as of my latest job hunt I was able to negotiate over 15K just on the base (not including bonuses and pay bumps)! Eric is an absolute gem of a resource, his advice has already paid Codesmith's tuition 2-3 times over! 

I went through Codesmith from a non-technical background and it was a great experience and definitely set me up for success in getting a job as a software engineer. I would not have learned even a fraction of the skills if I had tried to do it on my own. The Codesmith community is no joke either -- everyone is helpful and encouraging, and it makes the experience that much better. Definitely worth the time and money spent to change careers and enter an industry I would have had no chance of being a part of.

Hello!  Here is my experience with Codesmith.  Hopefully this helps you in making a decision on whether this is the right program for you and whether to take the leap.I worked in technology in a tech-adjacent role before the program (Technical Operations).  I had worked with software engineers but was not an engineer myself.When the pandemic hit, like a lot of us, I took the time to step back and re-examine my life.  Was I on the right path?  I decided I loved tech but wanted to “level up” my career.  And to start exploring software engineering bootcamps as a vehicle for doing so.I only “toured” one or two bootcamps in addition to Codesmith.  I think I just connected with the people at Codesmith right away (the Codesmith alums leading the weekday evening free sessions).  They just seemed really real and approachable and friendly, but hardworking and bright at the same time.I took advantage of all the prep tools beforehand: CSX (independent self-service learning platform), JavaScript for Beginners (paid group course) and CS Prep (paid group course).  The prep courses provided multiple benefits: (1) I learned a lot about software engineering/coding (2) I could dip my toe in and see if I liked coding (in general) and (3) see how I liked the Codesmith style (in particular).I really enjoyed the prep and felt confident that Codesmith was indeed “the real deal.”  (The instructor at CS Prep, for example, was a Codesmith grad, working in the industry and told us about his experience, so it was all becoming more and more real.)I was ready to apply to the immersive!  I did not get through on my first interview attempt, but the feedback and support was incredibly helpful.  I was not really discouraged at all because it is very normal to need a couple attempts to refine your approach before you get that exciting call that: YOU’RE IN.I did some light prep (maybe another week or two) then applied again.  I was accepted and started right away (next available cohort).  The program was 100% remote.What to say about the program?  It was really, really great.  As you have probably read, it really was “eat, sleep, code, repeat.”  Learning on all fronts: algorithms, deep computer science concepts, learning particularities of JavaScript, etc.  It was fast-paced but doable.It might seem counter-intuitive, but the hiring program comes quite late in the program.  You are really pushing, learning and building right up until the end.The hiring program is excellent and what you might be imagining: drafting a resume, revising it, interview prep, job search strategy and practice.Before I knew it, the program was over and it was time to hit the street and APPLY.  There was some variability in how quickly people from my cohort were hired: some were hired in 2 weeks, some it took a couple months.  It took me just under a year after graduating.That said, I took on my job search in fits and starts.  I had additional projects I was working on outside of coding at that time.  I would say if you finish the program, and you go ALL IN on your job search from day one - following all recommendations from the hiring team, getting a job within 90 days of program completion is a very, very reasonable expectation.But ultimately, I wanted to do some additional learning and prep before applying, and I don’t regret it.  I had a lot of great interviews and ended up at a company I really love as a mid-level software engineer.There were definitely ups and downs, but any experience that really pushes you to GROW, go outside your existing boundaries, push your comfort zone.. it will be hard at times!  It will be emotional at times!  But totally worth it.Here are some FAQs.  These are the questions I had when I was sitting in your exact same position, reading reviews on this exact same site…FAQsAre the outcomes real?Yes. They are 100% real, and include people from all prior-to-codesmith life backgrounds. Do not worry if you didn’t go to college or have a non-traditional background. They will take care of you.What do you recommend before making a decision on a bootcamp?Get to know the school before making a decision. Take the CSX courses, enroll in CS Prep, go to a virtual open houses, all of it. How do you feel? Do you like the teaching style? Do you vibe with the culture? At the end of the day, it’s not just about the program that has the highest outcomes overall - it’s about a place where YOU can thrive and be successful.What advice do you have before starting the program?Get your life (reasonably) in order before starting. You don’t need to tie up every loose end in your life, but mentally be ready to go 100% all-in for 12 weeks.  The less distractions outside of Codesmith during the program, the better.Anything else I should know?Because the outcomes are so good, I assumed they would somehow be “automatic” or “just happen” - they are not! It’s important to stay active and engaged every step of the process. The results will absolutely come, and you will find your place, but remember involvement on your part is a huge part of this process.  Keep your foot on the gas every single day.  Push hard!Closing wordsTLDR: (1) get to know the school, (2) make a decision, then (3) JUST GO FOR IT.  It is a leap, but that’s part of the fun.  You’ll do great!

I had an amazing experience at Codesmith. It allowed me to connect to so many engineers from all facets of the world. It is an intense program but the applicants they accept as well as the instructors and fellow are all so supportive. I would not be able to make it through the program on my own without the Codesmith community. Even though we graduated from the program, we have built a life long connection to so many people that can help us and that we can help in the future. I would have never thought I could learn all the things I learned. No regrets. 

I got into Codesmith with 2 months of studying while working full-time, pulling 80+ hour 7-day weeks & attending every Hard Parts workshop they had. At one point I stood outside a packed workshop room with my ear against the glass just to catch bits and pieces of what was being taught. I got in. It wasn't an easy full-time immersive experience - a lot of personal mistakes & challenges, but I came out on top. I slept on the couch just to dedicate the 1.5 hour commute time into the city on studying (I wasn't the only one). I graduated with an offer thanks to Codesmith's Hiring Day, started working a different job the week after graduating, then finally landed on a consulting gig for the Google Cloud Platform a month and a half after graduating. I doubled my salary in 6 months.Fast forward 4 years and I'm now a tech lead at a start-up. So far in my career, I've worked alongside Google engineers, built cutting edge AI multi-platform apps for Point72, co-founded a software development agency where I hired engineers, and have mentored other aspiring engineers into their first roles. It hasn't been without its challenges but looking back I know that life happens for me, not to me, and that change is an opportunity to reach higher to become more. I'm grateful.Pros- The best 0-to-bootcamp trajectory on the market- Unique community focused on excellence in an "in it together" culture you won't find at other bootcamps- Rigorous full-stack JS course focusing on the capacities that make you an engineer, not just a developer- Multi-disciplinary curriculum spanning design, AI, dev-ops, security, etc.- Paid post-graduate opportunities- Post-graduate support is lifelong, consistent & growing- They see potential in you - sometimes before you see it in yourself. They take a chance on you.Cons- Can be cult-like, but the best companies & cultures usually are. - Post-graduate support isn't industry-leading yet (emphasis on "yet" - they're the type of people to make it happen)- Their taking a chance on you can sometimes lead to prematurely entering into a full-time immersive program which can lead to a rough during-Codesmith & post-Codesmith experience. Mental health can take a toll, but last I heard Codesmith offers support throughout. This applies to SOME non-technical aspiring engineers, not all, and is rarely the case with residents with some past technical experience or those who've spent more time studying

I am a true Codesmithed-swe. I came to Codesmith with zero experience in coding and began by studying for their prep courses. I was skeptical about landing an actual software engineer job, but It took me less than 7 months from the start date of the prep courses to get the first offer; two months of prep, three months of the immersive program, and two months of job search. My experience throughout Codesmith was great. Thank you, Codesmith! 

Prior to joining Codesmith's LA Immersive Program, I'd had some experience with programming, having taken a few intro computer science courses in college and tinkered around with JavaScript and Python through youtube tutorials. As coding became a passion of mine, I decided to try and apply for a software engineer role, but found it immensely difficult as I found the technical assessments to be out of my range of skill and a lot of companies were hesitant to hire a person without a technical background i.e. I'd recently graduated with a B.A. in linguistics.Then I decided to join Codesmith's Full-time Immersive Program. Codesmith's curriculum consists of all the basics of JavaScript which sets you up for learning and working with modern web technologies like React, Node, Express, and Redux. Not to mention they also go through data structures and algorithms as well as testing and technologies associated with DevOps, i.e. Docker and AWS. In general, Codesmith technical curriculum emphasizes collaboration, which is crucial for being able to technically communicate in interviews.  The instructors for the technical lectures were passionate, empathetic, and always willing to offer any guidance. Many of them were great mentors as well; they were instrumental in managing the course of an open source product I eventually worked on. The phase of the immersive where you're asked to create an open source product with your fellow bootcamp attendees plays a very significant role in the technical experience you end up talking about in interviews. This is huge. Prior to Codesmith, the only things I was able to talk about to recruiters were intro computer science classes and amateurish web projects.In addition to equipping me with the necessary technical skills and experience, Codesmith's Immersive also guided me with how to actually get hired. Their comprehensive hiring program was excellent in making sure that I knew how to conduct myself in phone screens, technical screens, and onsites. It was obvious that the people running the hiring program had industry experience and really knew what they were doing. All the instructors and lecturers at Codesmith were not only exceptional at what they do, but also deeply empathetic and a pleasure to work with. And in particular those that really stood out to me were Michael O'Halloran, for his superb teaching ability and technical knowledge, and Eric Kirsten, for his outstanding advice on how to negotiate salary and unrelenting willingness to make sure Codesmith graduates find the jobs of their dreams. 

Two years ago, I went to a very well known bootcamp right before the pandemic hit. The experience was ok as far as learning about coding, but to be honest the way in which they prepared us to actually get a job was extremely lackluster, to put it kindly. I struggled greatly and felt totally rudderless and not sure how I was ever going to crack into the industry.  Fall of 2021, I ran into a friend who had recently finished Codesmith and got an amazing job only a few months after graduating. After telling her I had been struggling for about 1.5 years to get any traction, she was able to sell me on going to Codesmith.At first I thought I was going to coast, because of my previous experience, but I couldn’t be more wrong. The students that they accept have to pass an entrance exam that frankly not many people from my bootcamp would have been able to pass even after graduating. So people were prepared to hit the ground running. And that is exactly what happened. Codesmith is not for everyone, because they really force you to struggle and embrace not knowing something and using your resources to figure it out. While Codesmith is not for everyone, I really believe that anyone who embraces their methodology can succeed. I believe that because I’ve seen it. Most of my cohort that graduated have jobs and it’s only been 3 months as of this writing. The average base salary offered to those grads is roughly 150k, and only a few - and I really mean a few - had any experience with programming prior to preparing for the exam.The program is hard. Like, extremely hard. Don’t think you can just show up and coast and get an amazing job in a few months. But if you really want this and are dedicated to working your butt off, it will work. It’s an incredible program and almost unfair that it gets lumped in with other bootcamps, because it really is just far and away the best I’ve experienced and seen. Plus the hiring portion of the program itself is worth the cost alone. 10/10 could not recommend highly enough to those who are serious about this.

2019 I knew I wanted to make a career change. I remember reading this reddit post calling codesmith a scam. It deterred me away but my curiosity had me investigate their free hard parts workshop and finding alumni to get their take. Their CSX platform was excellent, hard parts was fun and mostly importantly majority of the alumni I talked to has great things to say about the program. No one said the program was perfect and had issues with some parts of the program but never the whole program. I decided to trust the people I've reached out to and take the dive to sign up for the full time immersive.(RIP my wallet) After finished the program 2 weeks ago I already cannot believe I already got one offer from a start up for 100k. The program was tough, some of the program in my opinion needed a tiny bit more hand holding. Overall I had an amazing experience, I walk away with REAL skillsets and knowledge to tackle finding and performing software development jobs. Like any program if you don't take advantage of the community, instructors and resources you might as well of thrown your money in penny stocks or SPY puts. If you're scared that codesmith is a scam, feel free to reach out to me and ask any questions. I do not work for codesmith and don't get any benefits from reviewing them. It's a program that has changed my life and I hope it can change yours too.

Codesmith was an excellent experience and for me it was definitely worth it. I attended the full time immersive and it was a lot of long hours and tough work, but ultimately absolutely worth it and truly rewarding. I had already done some self studying when I enrolled and it really took my engineering skills to the next level. The most valuable parts of the program for me were the community and network you find, the project focus, and the hiring portion. I chose Codesmith because of the CIRR outcomes and the sense of community. I highly recommend checking out one of their free workshops if you want to get a sense of the teaching style. I got a job fairly quickly and have been extremely happy with my choice to make a career change. I'm able to do more satisfying work for more pay, and Codesmith really helped me get there.